Spotlight: the Marvin Williams Recreation Center

Founded from the vision of the late Bishop Robertson, and led today by his widow, board-certified obstetrician gynecologist Lillian Lockett Robertson, MD, the Marvin Williams Recreation Center is a 20,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility in Bremerton, Washington. This multi-functional gathering place was established with a mission of service to historically disadvantaged communities in the Pacific Northwest.

This mission is carried out through a broad array of community programs, including health and wellness education; after-school academic enrichment and support; and fitness, recreation, and athletic activities. Thanks to Dr. Robertson’s professional expertise and connections, these programs have benefited through the involvement of regional physicians, nutritionists, local law enforcement, youth counselors — and now, medical students through the More in Common Alliance. Young people who come to the center for something to do, or a safe place to be, receive exposure there to ideas and encouragement toward health care careers.

As Dr. Robertson shares, “Sometimes more is caught than taught. Just seeing those medical students and realizing, ‘Hey, you’re a doctor, you look like me.’ Kids don't get to see that so much here.” And so she and her team, now with these Morehouse students and professionals, are helping to promote health, wellness — and opportunity — in the community.

Added Dr. Robertson, “I grew up in a historically disadvantaged community in Texas. The little ladies in the community believed in me. I would show them my report cards and they would give me 25 cents for every A. That was my village — them believing in me and making me realize, ‘Keep going. I can do it. Not only am I doing this for me, but for them as well.’”